Increasingly, research indicates that proximity to nature is linked to better health and wellbeing in urban environments. Two opinion pieces by experts in the field of nature-based solutions highlight interesting findings on this front.

Can nature-based solutions even impact mortality? Clair Cooper, a PhD researcher at Durham University, explores this question, drawing on a study from the NATURVATION project – in which ICLEI Europe is a partner – on nature-based solutions, health outcomes and mortality indicators. The study found that green roofs and walls, large urban parks, seacoasts and green balconies are all associated with lower mortality rates, explaining “These findings are consistent with research that suggests nature-based solutions such as green walls play an important role in the removal of high concentrations of pollutants.”

Studies conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic indicate that, during this pandemic time, there has been an increase in stress, poor mental health and incidence of domestic violence, all alongside an increase in visits to urban green spaces. Mark J Niewenhuijsen, a research professor in environmental epidemiology, stresses the need for green space during these difficult times: “They are a great resource for people and society and an increased effort should be made to maintain and improve them to improve our mental health.”

Niewenhuijsen highlights the need for new urban models, such as ‘superblocks’, which are areas that reorganise traffic to the outskirts of neighbourhoods, reclaiming the inner streets for walking, cycling, socialisation and green spaces. ICLEI Member Barcelona (Spain) was an early pioneer of the superblock approach, which is now being applied by cities across the world. In fact, ICLEI is working on supporting cities and islands to replicate the superblock model through the research conducted as part of the SMARTEES project on social innovation and its proliferation to other cities.

Another project ICLEI collaborates on – GoGreenRoutes – will continue to push forward this academic investigation, evaluateingthe effects of nature-based solutions on physical- and mental health in cities, including in ICLEI Members Lahti (Finland), Burgas (Bulgaria), and Umeå (Sweden). This work will make it easier for decision makers to assess and choose the most suitable nature-based solutions.

In these trying times, ICLEI Europe will continue to support its Members to improve the wellbeing of residents, through engaging in research, implementation and replication of nature-based solutions.

For more information, read the opinion pieces by Clair Cooper ('Nature-based solutions and health outcomes') here, and by Mark J Niewenhuijsen ('Why cities need more green space than ever') here.

Both of these articles were published by NetworkNature, an EU-funded service for the nature-based solutions community led by ICLEI Europe. For more information, follow NetworkNature throughout the weeks ahead, as it will focus on gathering and disseminating information on the connection between nature and health throughout its spring semester.

For more information, click here.